Crate



March 8,1927. 1,620,585

- F. WALTHER CRATE Filed May 7, 1926 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 8, 192?.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK WALTHER, on oMAiiAQ vnBnAskA.

CRATE.

Application filed. May 7, 1526. Serial No. 107,433.

My present invention pertains to metallic, collapsible crates, boxes or the like and 1t contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive device that is adaptedto be easily and readily assembled for shlpment of merchandise or the like and is also adapted to be knocked-down whereby the person receiving the goods may return the devlce to the shipper with a slight cost due to the small amount of space that the device will require for knocked-down shipment.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive knocked-down box that is adapted for repeated shipments and requires but small amount of storage space when knocked-down The invention in all of its details will be fully understood from the following description and claims when the same areread in connection with the drawings accompany ing and forming part of this invention, in which- I y Figure 1 is a perspective view of the completely assembled device. i

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the device. I Q

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of-the device showing portions of the same broken away and in horizontal section. y

Figure 4 is a detail vertical sectionalview taken in a plane indicated by.,the line 41-41 in Figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view showing box in collapsed position.

Figure 6 is a view showing several of the boxes stacked.

Before entering into a detailed description of my invention, I would have it understood that although my device is adapted for shipment the primary object is for local delivery such as for store use where the driver of a delivery wagon after each delivery to a customer may collapse a box for future use.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

My novel device comprises the end walls 7 that are flangedat 8 as illustrated. The flanged portions 8 are provided with the knuckles 9 and at their lower ends the sides or ends 7 are provided with the upwardly bent edges 10 as clearly shown in Figure 2. These bent portions 10 are also provided with knuckles 11 and at 12 on the upper edges of the ends 7, I provide the downwardly bent edges.

Arrangedin theen d are holes I The; box further comprises the side' secr tions 16 having the outer knuckles or hinges.

17 and at 18 I illustrate, the pfintles of the knuckles 9 and 17 through the medium of whiclrthe side walls or sections 16 anehinged withrespect to the end walls]. ,The side sections 16 are further ,provided with the bent ends 19 and the saidside sections of each side otthe lbox comprise two members that are hinged at 20. Theseside-sections i h nse ;;i ;,the C nter a i l as t h i ends sq hat eside s'e tiqnsote chis d 16.

Will psei war lyso hat the members oi one side segtion; ,vvhenthe box. is collapsed fall upon and rest-against thennembers of I he raw g; id a ct eaas l a ly s wn,

Hinged at 22 so as to move.; up v against s. ends 7 3-3 the: b ttem. s ns 21p a i g threils e1 9:hing are he ri 3:? i91 e ep ntle a so pa s thr u the kn ck es or. hin e 1; c the. ds .7 y-t se elements a e iased wi h re spect to each-other.-

- B 1 :O 3 th ahettenus etidn are: pro;

vided with the extensions which are downwardly bent and indicated by 24 while the side walls 16 are provided with the slots 25 of such a construction that on movement of the bottom sections 21 downwardly the prongs 24 will ride into and be securely held by the side sections 16. However, as shown in Figure 4; I provide the integral flanges 26 that act after the manner of rests or supports for the bottom walls. Further I provide the bottom walls 21 with the bent edges 23 By reference to Figure 5 it will be seen that when set up the boxes are slightly larger at their lower ends than at their upper ends, so that in stacking they will form a support one for the other.

In the practical use of the invention, when it is desired to set the box up from the collapsed position shown in Figure 5 it is merely necessary to pull the ends 7 away from each other to the limit of movement. The center hinges of the side sections will only allow said hinges to move to a point where the members of each side'section are ill in parallel relations with respect to each other and prevent the side sections from canting outwardly. The bottom sections first one then the other are dropped so that the prongs enter the slots of the side walls and assume their proper position and in this connection I would have it understood that the bottom sections when in set up position are so constructed that one of the bottom sections slightly laps the other. It will be seen that the setting up of the box is extremely simple. Collapsing of the box merely requires pulling up off the bottom sections so that they rest against the end sections and then pushing the end sections toward each other which action will cause the side sections 16 to told one against the other.

I wish it distinctly understood that this box may be cut out, giving the effects of ribs or slats and not in solid pieces as shown in the drawings, thereby making it available as a poultry crate etc.

What I claim, is- 1 l. A collapsible box comprising end walls, side walls comprising two members, centrally hinged to each other and to the'end walls, said side members having slots therein, flanges formed in the side members adjacent the slots, bottoms hinged to the end walls, and integral prongs formed in the bottoms and adapted to seat in the slots of the side walls and rest on the integral flanges thereon.

2. A knock down box comprising end walls having handle-s therein, knuckles formed on the side portions of the end walls and also to med on the lower portion of the end walls, bottom walls having knuckles formed thereon, pintles ,for securing the bot tom walls in hinged relation to the knuckles ports formed adjacent the slots on the interior surface oi the side sections and means.- iormed on the bottom walls for engagmg the slots and resting on the supports; said bottom sections being overlapped at their edges. 7

A collapsible crate having end walls, centrally hinged side walls pimtally connected with the end walls; said side walls having slots therein and flanges formed in the side walls, bottom walls hinged to the end walls and prongs at pied to seat in the slots of the side walls.

4. A crate comprising end walls having handles therein,- knuckles formed on the walls, bottom walls having knuckles formed thereon, pintles adapted to secure the end and bottom walls to each other in hinged manner, side walls comprising two sections hinged to each other and having means adapted to hinge the side walls with respect to the end walls, apertures formed in the side walls and supports adjacent the apertures and means formed on the bottom walls for engaging the apertures and resting on the supports; said bottom walls having their free ends overlapped with respect to each other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FREDERICK \VALTHER; 

